Date:09/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/12/09/stories/2004120902120400.htm

Back Ministry clarification on EPCG scheme

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Dec. 8

THE Revenue Department has clarified that the notifications allowing import under the export promotion capital goods (EPCG) scheme at concessional rate are also applicable for clearances from 100 per cent export-oriented units (EOUs), subject to the fulfilment of provisos of the notification.

The clarification from the Finance Ministry's revenue wing has come in the wake of demands from the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZ units (EPCEs), when members had brought to the notice of the Council that the supply of manufactured goods by EOU to EPCG license holders are not being provided exemption by the excise department since this has not been mentioned in the excise notification.

The Director-General, EPCEs, Mr L.B. Singhal, took up the matter on behalf of the Council with the revenue department, which has issued this clarification, stating that the clearances from the EOUs are placed on par with "imports".

It is for this reason that the amount of duty payable thereon is linked to the customs duty normally leviable on like goods imported into India.

It has also been clarified that the benefit of end-use based notifications are also applicable to clearances made from the EOU.